An Evening Summary

Brussels was today hit by a dual terror attack, with explosions at the airport and on the metro.

Suicide bombers struck at Brussels’ Zaventem airport and two blasts were heard near the American Airlines check-in desk and an hour later an explosion was heard at the Belgian capital’s Maelbeek metro station in a separate terror attack.

Emergency services evacuate a victim wrapped in a blanket after a explosion in a main metro station in Brussels (Image: PA Wire)

An international manhunt has been launched for one of the terrorist suspects behind the co-ordinated bombings in Brussels which left at least 31 dead and almost 200 - including two Britons - injured.

The so-called Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the attacks and Belgian media are reporting one of their flags and a nail bomb have been found during a raid on a house in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels.

Police have confirmed that they carried out a series of raids across Belgium after bombs exploded at Brussels airport and in the city’s subway system, killing at least 31 people.

Picture taken by Jef Versele showing the aftermath of this morning's explosions at Brussels Airport (Image: Jef Versele/PA Wire)

The airport blasts, in which two suicide bombers are believed to have died, left behind a chaotic scene of splattered blood in the departure lounge as windows were blown out, ceilings collapsed and travellers streamed out of the smoky building.About an hour later, another bomb exploded on a rush-hour subway train near the European Union headquarters. Terrified passengers had to evacuate through darkened tunnels to safety.“What we feared has happened,” Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said. “In this time of tragedy, this black moment for our country, I appeal to everyone to remain calm but also to show solidarity.”Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level, diverting planes and trains and ordering people to stay where they were for most of the workday.Authorities also released a photo taken from closed-circuit TV of three men pushing luggage carts, saying two of them apparently were the suicide bombers and that the third - dressed in a light-coloured coat, black hat and glasses - was at large.

Penshaw Monument lit up with the Belgian flag

Sunderland’s Penshaw Monument was lit in Belgium’s colours as a mark of solidarity following the terror attacks in Brussels.

The flag on Sunderland Civic Centre has also been flying at half-mast.

Penshaw monument was illuminated in the black, yellow and red of the Belgian tri-color national flag as the sun set over the North East.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Paul Watson said: “It has been truly shocking to watch the events unfolding in Brussels today.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the explosions and with the emergency services who worked so tirelessly to rescue them.

“As part of the international community it is important that Sunderland shows its sympathy and continuing support to all those in Belgium and across the world affected by these terrible attacks.

“We hope that lighting up one of our most iconic landmarks the Penshaw Monument will help symbolise that support, and provide a focal point for people’s tributes to those in Brussels.”

Watch the footage of the illuminated monument:

20:00Tom Eden

Belgian Prime Minister joins crowds to light a candle

People light candles at the Place de la Bourse following today's attacks in Brussels, Belgium.

Messages of condolence, outrage and love by people from around the world were written in chalk on the pavement where the lit candles were placed.Some among the crowd broke out into an impromptu rendition of Imagine by John Lennon.Others stood in sombre silence as teams of armed police officers stood by in the wake of Tuesday’s terrorist atrocity.Student Laura Kartheuser, 20, said: “This is my city and this is my country. What’s happened today is really terrible.“We’ve come here to support each other and see what was written on the pavement. It’s really touching.“I don’t know who thought to bring chalk for people to write with, but it’s lovely to see such kind words.“And they’ve been written in all different languages, including English, Spanish and German. It’s so beautiful.”Laura Ghentouzi, 21, said: “My friends and were at home and we thought we would come here and light some candles, to be together and to support Brussels.”

19:50Tom Eden

Two Brits among the injured

The Foreign Office has said two Britons are confirmed to have been injured in an updated statement over today’s Brussels terror attacks.

A spokeswoman said: “We are in close contact with local authorities in Brussels following the shocking attacks that have taken place, and we stand together with the Belgian people at this time.

“Embassy staff are providing consular assistance to two injured Britons and are ready to support any further British nationals that have been affected.”

19:01KEY EVENT

'Warning shots fired' as three arrested at Amsterdam central station

Dutch officers have fired a warning shot during the arrest of three suspects outside Amsterdam’s central station, an official police tweet said.

A police spokeswoman declined to provide further details.

I will bring you more updates as soon as I get them.

18:55Tom Eden

Belgian PM puts out a message of solidarity

18:53Tom Eden

Belgian flag flying at half mast

The Belgian flag is flying over Downing Street this evening:

18:32Tom Eden

‘ISIS flag and bomb found during raid on Schaerbeek house’

Belgian media are reporting an ISIS flag and a bomb have been found during a raid on a house in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels.

Special forces and anti-terror police have placed the area on lockdown and a number of raids are believed to be ongoing.

CCTV image issued by Belgian Federal Police of three men they believed are connected with the explosions at Brussels airport.

18:14Tom Eden

Police swoop on Schaerbeek area of Brussels

Belgian state TV station RTBF has reported police have swooped on the area of Schaerbeek close to the centre of Brussels.

It is believed police are searching for two terror attackers who may still be at large following this morning’s bombings.

Schaerbeek is a short distance away from the notorious area of Molenbeek which has been the focus of several police raids in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks.

Brussels suspect Najim Laachraoui is believed to have links to the area.

The area’s main square has been closed off and special forces and anti-terror officers are at the scene.

Six passengers return to Newcastle after plane is diverted

Flight number BM1101 from Newcastle, which was about to land in Brussels when the explosions hit on Tuesday morning, was diverted to Liege, in Belgium.

Of the 26 passengers onboard, 20 disembarked in Liege, with the remaining six returning back to the North East.

A spokeswoman from BMI Regional, which operates direct services between Newcastle and Brussels, says all flights to and from the Belgian capital have been cancelled until at least 6am on Wednesday, pending further notice.

The situation will be re-assessed after that.

17:43KEY EVENT

Manhunt for bombing suspect after blast kills 34

A terror suspect is believed to be on the run after the Brussels bombings, which left 34 dead and almost 200 injured.Belgian police issued a CCTV image of the man, one of three seen pushing luggage trolleys through Zaventem airport moments before two bombs exploded.A third bomb was deactivated at the airport hours after the attack.

Handout CCTV image issued by Belgian Federal Police of a man they want to trace in connection with the explosions at Brussels airport. (Image: PA)

In a statement, Belgian police appealed for information about the man, who is wearing a hat and a light-coloured jacket.“Police are looking to identify this man. He is suspected of having committed the attack at Zaventem on Tuesday March 22.“If you recognise this individual or have information regarding this attack please call 0800 30 300.”The airport attack was followed by a bomb blast on a Metro train in the city centre as terrorists inflicted a new outrage on a European capital.The coordinated bomb attacks left a major city in lockdown once again less than five months after Paris was hit by a wave of deadly strikes.The atrocities on Tuesday, condemned as “blind, violent and cowardly” by Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, came after the arrest last week of terror mastermind Salah Abdeslam, who plotted November’s massacre in the French capital.The terror group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Brussels attacks.

17:37Tom Eden

CCTV images of potential bombing suspects released by Belgium police

Belgian Police have issued a CCTV picture of a man who is suspected of carrying out the attack at Brussels airport.

CCTV image issued by Belgian Federal Police of three men they believed are connected with the explosions at Brussels airport.

It is believed the two men of the left of the picture died in the explosions.

The man on the right escaped and is being treated as a wanted fugitive.

None of their identities is known but there is speculation the wanted man is Najim Laachraoui.

Belgian police named him last week as one of terrorists wanted over the Paris attacks.

The 24-year-old’s DNA was reportedly found in a Belgian apartment also used by the world’s most wanted terrorist Salah Abdeslam, who was arrested on Friday.

17:34Tom Eden

ISIS issue chilling new threat against UK and its allies

Islamic State has vowed ‘harder and more bitter’ attacks against the UK and its allies following another day of terror in Europe.

A statement released on the group’s official Telegram account said:

We promise dark days to the states who have allied against Islamic State in reply to their aggression against our state.

And what awaits you will be harder and more bitter, with the grace of Allah.

We promise to the states that are allied against the Islamic State that they will face dark days in return for their aggression against our state.

What will await you will become harder and more bitter through the grace of Allah.

Brussels AttacksTom Eden

What do we know so far?

Here is what we know so far about the terror attacks in Brussels:

There were two explosions at Brussels Zaventem Airport at around 7am UK time.

About an hour later there was an explosion on a Metro train at Maelbeek station, near the city’s EU quarter.

The Islamic State terror group (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they opened fire in the airport and “several” members detonated suicide belts. IS said a suicide bomber was also responsible for the Metro attack.

A third bomb has been deactivated at Brussels airport, an official said.

The death toll is at least 34. Fourteen people are reported to have been killed at the airport and 20 in the explosion on the Metro.

The attacks are believed to have injured at least 198 people. Of those, at least one person is British and was injured at the airport, Downing Street said.

The attack at the airport targeted an American Airlines desk. Local media reported that shouts in Arabic were heard as shots were fired.

One or two Kalashnikov rifles were found in the airport departure lounge after the attacks and at least one suitcase bomb exploded there, security officials are reported to have said.

The injuries of a number of victims indicate there were nails in at least one of the bombs at the airport, someone from Gasthuisberg hospital in Leuven indicated. Marc Decramer told local media the hospital is treating 11 people for wounds probably caused by flying glass and nails.

The blown out windows of Zaventem airport are seen after a deadly attack in Brussels (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

17:02Tom Eden

Trains will run tomorrow, but Brussels airport remains shut

A full service is expected to resume tomorrow, according to Eurostar.

British Airways said customers due to travel to Brussels up to and including March 29 can alter their booking.Brussels Airlines, which serves a number of UK airports, also cancelled its services from Brussels for the next two days.Security has also been stepped up at transport hubs in the UK.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its travel advice for Britons in Brussels, urging them to “stay away from crowded places and avoid public transport at this time”.British officials in the city have been given the same instructions, the FCO said.Anyone who is concerned about family or friends in Brussels can contact the FCO’s helpline on 0207 008 0000.A spokesman for travel organisation Abta said British holidaymakers in Brussels should follow the instructions of the Belgian authorities, while those due to travel should contact their transport provider.He added that although Belgium is a popular destination for UK visitors, March is “one of the quieter months for leisure travel”.

16:56Tom Eden

Foreign Office advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to Belgium

The Foreign Office is updating its travel advice for Belgium, advising against all but essential travel to Brussels in line with the advice issued by the Belgium authorities, Downing Street said.

Armed British police officers stand guard after Eurostar services were suspended on the Brussels route because of the attacks in Belgium, at St Pancras international railway station in London (Image: (AP Photo/Matt Dunham))

The Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman said Britain was also sending a team of specialist police officers to the city to assist with the investigation.

“They will be gathering together as much material as possible that can help them with the investigation.

“It is working on the investigation, trying to work out what happened, who is responsible,” the spokeswoman said.

I woke up to the news of the explosions. Obviously, our plans have changed and I’m now waiting to see how things develop today, although its quite possible I won’t be able to get back over to Brussels for the rest of the week. When I saw the images on the TV and the pictures of the airport which I have travelled through so many times, it really brings things home to you. We always know there is the possibility that something like this could happen; that something could go wrong, but when it actually happens there is a level of shock that anyone can be so callous and cruel to carry out this type of atrocity. I can only hope the people responsible are brought to justice as soon as possible.

13:42Kathryn Riddell

Prime Minister on Brussels attacks

David Cameron has spoken after the Brussels attacks.

It has now been confirmed that one British national was injured during the explosion at the airport this morning.